The FlyBaby++
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Note: Despite the following paragraph, this project is essentially dead
as far as I am concerned. I am still interested in the FlyBaby and like to think
that I would eventually build one. But there is no way that a software engineer like
myself could pull of such massive modifications such as I have described here.
This is an experimental aircraft that I am noodling out the design on
currently. Its based off of
Peter Bowers Fly Baby design (see Ron Wanttaja's wonderful Fly
Baby web site if you are unfamiliar with the type), with enough modifications
to have Pete spinning in his grave. These modifications include
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Stretching the fuselage to make it a two seater. In this I am going
to be basing my design on what Dave Munday is doing with his Tandem
Fly Baby. I can't use his fuselage design directly as I
am wanting to use a...
-
Firewall Forward
CAM 125 engine. This is an inline 4 cylinder, water cooled, Honda
auto engine with a PSRU. This engine is longer, narrower and slightly
heavier than the O-290 engine that Dave is planning on using. It
will be somewhat cleaner (no jugs hanging out in the wind), but is going
to be a headache with balance and cooling. On the upside, the fuel
consumption on is supposed to be better than the O-290 and therefore I
may get away with a smaller fuel tank.
-
As this thing is going to be heavier (I'm guessing an gross weight of about
1500 pounds), the original ridged Fly baby landing gear won't hack it.
I'm stealing the design of the Ryan STM (or maybe the Travelair R Mysteryship)
and down sizing until it fits here. Doing this right means making
a...
-
Center section. I am not sure if I am going to fully cantilever the
center section or brace it with a strut. The center section should help
in adding in some more wing area, reducing the stall speed slightly. I
am going to try to retain the folding wing mechanism of the original Fly
Baby, with the wing attachments out at the end of the center section.
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I plan on pretty much using Bowers design for the outer wing panels, although
I will follow his suggestions for the "aerobatic" improvements.
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A bunch of other smaller (relative) things
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An electrical system. Hand propping may be ok for some people, but
my wife is flat against it (and as clumsy as I am, I'm not so keen on it
either). Might as well go whole hog and do lights and radio stack
(although my collection of handhelds would probably be much easier).
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Wheel pants. The STM design seems very functional, but is kinda ugly
and fairly draggy. I think I'll cover it all up.
-
A plug and play collection of canopy's. A two holer (with the front
hole covered up sometimes) is all I want. However, another of the
wife's requirements is an enclosed canopy.
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external hard points for mounting bomb racks ;-)
Whew! So where am I with this monstrosity? Pretty much nowhere
other than backs of envelopes. I have started stockpiling materials
(got a great deal on some finnish plywood and spar grade aircraft spruce).
I pretty much have to wait until my shop assistant Jake
is out of diapers before I can start anything substantial.
Questions? Check out the FAQ
first and then send e-mail
with your inquiry or contributions (I can always use money regardless of
denomination).